The hottest — and hippest — beaches for summer 2017 in New York City and beyond

By MICHAEL KAMINER

|NEW YORK DAILY NEWS|

Jun 17, 2017 | 5:00 AM

Long Beach offers abundant shopping and great places to grab a bite. (Gordon Tepper)

Our concrete jungle may not come to mind as a great beach destination, but the Big Apple boasts some of the best, most diverse beaches on the East Coast. Along with picturesque shorelines and buzzing boardwalks, the city's beaches offer fun activities all summer, from surfside movie screenings to risqué burlesque performances. Here are some of our favorites.

Rockaway Beach is an excellent destination for those looking for some hip shopping. (Off Season)

Is Rockaway Beach, New York's only legal surfing beach, even cooler now than when the Ramones sang its praises 40 years ago? Mexican joint Tacoway Beach (rockawaybeachsurfclub.com/food-menu), fashion flagship Off Season (offseasonnyc.com), burger mecca Rippers (8601 Shore Front Pkwy.), and New York's oldest surf shop, family-owned Rockaway Beach Surf Shop, are drawing a new generation of sun-seeking hipsters. All summer, there's yoga on the beach, movies under the stars, Zumba classes, and outdoor dance performances. This summer marks completion of $140 million worth of rebuilding after Superstorm Sandy.

Rockaway Beach boasts hot fashion flagship Off Season. (Off Season)

Coney Island Beach, Brooklyn

(N train to Coney Island/Stillwell Ave.; coneyislandfunguide.com)

New Yorkers love Coney Island for amusement attractions like Luna Park. But Coney Island's beach and boardwalk have lulled New Yorkers since 1824. Millions still bask here every summer, and Coney's colorful 2.7-mile boardwalk provides as much entertainment as the busiest Manhattan avenue. The summer schedule here's just as varied. The Monday-night "Flicks on the Beach" hosts seaside screenings; and an Instagram-worthy sandsculpting competition builds up on Aug. 19. With a nod to Coney's history, risqué "Burlesque at the Beach" series (coneyisland.com) shakes up Friday nights.

Orchard Beach, Bronx

(6 train to Pelham Bay Park; nycgovparks.org)

The Bronx's only public beach, Orchard Beach was dubbed "The Riviera of New York" when it made its debut in the 1930s. It still makes for a beautiful getaway, especially with jaw-dropping views of Manhattan and beyond. A little calmer than its Tri-state area counterparts, Orchard Beach still gets packed for its Salsa Sunday series, a 50-year-old tradition that pairs open-air dancing with a raucous DJ. Even if you've got two left feet, it's a blast to watch. If you can't get enough salsa, Orchard Beach also hosts a live concert series. Bonus: There are 26 sporting courts along the beach's 1.1 miles, and intense handball competitions make great spectator sports.

(30-minute ferry ride from Manhattan, about 57 miles by car; nps.gov/gate)

Part of the Gateway National Recreation Area, Sandy Hook makes a terrific getaway for nature enthusiasts as well as beach-lovers. Situated at the Jersey Shore's northern edge, the beach provides great views of New York Harbor and Manhattan's skyline. Sure, there's superb swimming here — even in the buff at the notorious Gunnison Beach. But Sandy Hook's also a refuge for nature-lovers, with its lush hiking trails and abundant wildlife. If history's your thing, the oldest operating lighthouse in the U.S. still shines here after 250 years. Park rangers offer nature walks throughout the summer, including a "Crustacean of the Day" tour and "Birding on the Deck" talk. A Wednesday-night concert series lets you rock out to local outfits like Tim McLoone and The Shirleys and Motor City Revue.

Part of the Gateway National Recreation Area, Sandy Hook makes a terrific getaway for nature enthusiasts as well as beach-lovers. (National Parks Service)

Long Beach, N.Y.

(LIRR from Penn Station; longbeachny.gov)

Less than an hour from Penn Station on the LIRR — even faster on holiday/weekend express trains — this city by the sea boasts a spotless beach, abundant shopping, and restaurants like small-plates hideaway Lost and Found (951 W. Beech St.).

Rebuilt after cataclysmic damage from Superstorm Sandy, Long Beach now boasts a $40-million Brazilian hardwood boardwalk with more than 700 benches. You'll also find one of the region's liveliest summer concert schedules here. The City of Long Beach hosts daily music performances through August, from Bon Jovi tribute bands to "Jewish rock 'n' roll." The shows are free, but bring a beach chair — seating's on you.